Hallmark of cooperative organisation is that its profitability is not for capitalists, but benefit of farmers: Amit Shah
(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke at the annual meeting of seven district-level cooperative societies in Rajkot, Gujarat, on Monday. The event included the Rajkot District Cooperative Bank Limited and focused on boosting the cooperative sector across India.
Shah highlighted how people in cooperatives pushed for a dedicated Ministry of Cooperation since India’s independence. In 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made it happen, creating a separate ministry to support farmers, livestock rearers, and fishermen from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.
“The real strength of any cooperative lies in channeling profits back to farmers, not to big capitalists,” Shah said. He praised the Rajkot District Cooperative Bank for winning NABARD’s Best Performance Award five times and the Overall Best Performance Award four times. “This success comes from the hard work of local farmers and strong leadership from the bank’s directors and chairman.”
Before 2021, the country’s huge cooperative network fell under a single joint secretary in the Agriculture Ministry. Now, Modi’s move ensures millions get direct bank deposits for their earnings. Shah called Rajkot’s cooperative model a shining example for all of Gujarat and India. He urged setting up more milk societies, service cooperatives, and warehouses in every village.
During the event, Shah unveiled statues of freedom fighter Vallabhbhai Patel and Vitthalbhai Radadiya. Patel fought for farmers nationwide, including in Rajkot, where he helped establish and grow the local cooperative bank. Radadiya served the bank for years, turning it into an award-winning institution.
Shah also announced benefits under the bank’s accident insurance scheme for 22 people and awarded motorcycles and compensation to nine cooperatives through the Krishi Samaj Awards. He noted the bank’s impressive track record: zero net non-performing assets for 53 years, hundreds of crores in profits, and loans at rates below zero percent interest.
Under Modi’s leadership, Gujarat now hosts the Tribhuvan Sahkari University in Anand, a national hub for cooperative studies. In the last three years, over 60 initiatives have strengthened the sector, like computerizing Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), building warehouses, water conservation projects, and expanding dairy cooperatives.
These efforts turned around a weakening system—stable in year one, then growing 12 percent over the next two. Today, new dairy unions and milk-processing societies pop up nationwide, with a computerized setup ensuring profits flow back to farmers in states like Gujarat.
In Gujarat, cooperatives now borrow only from district and state banks, a model succeeding in places like Banaskantha and Panchmahal, and expanding statewide. Shah introduced fresh ventures: Bharat Organic buys and sells farmers’ organic produce, returning full profits to them. Plus, new cooperatives handle exports and seeds.
“The cooperative sector is advancing faster than ever under PM Modi,” Shah said. He encouraged farmers to cut back on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, switch to organic farming for better health and higher earnings. India offers big incentives for organic practices, and Shah called on Saurashtra farmers to boost the country’s global organic market share.
On the eve of Navratri, Shah shared warm wishes for worshipping Maa Shakti. He called the recent GST cut—from 18 percent to 5 percent—on farmer essentials, food items, autos, and daily goods a special “gift” from Modi for Navratri and Diwali.
Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya joined Shah, along with other leaders, at the event.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
